Michigan State's Malik McDowell is the latest 30-visit revealed

[fishspill]

Given the country club atmosphere at the Star in Frisco, could head coach Garrett (forget Marinelli, this is the head coaches job) inspire, motivate, and unleash McDowell's potential?
If Jimmy or Parcells were running things, I would be on board.

I think Dak's presence might matter more, but it's just speculation on my part. I wouldn't have risked it 2 years ago but I think the room has changed and a kid like this could be successful.

The other thing is as much as his motor questions are in every write-up about him he certainly didn't look like he loafed a lot on the tapes I watched. He looked like he gave it all. I've found looking at these things myself are a better idea than listening to the rumors. It also showed me how much he was focused on by the opposing offense a la Bosa last year.

I acknowledge his quotes and the interview rumors sound bad. Still hope he falls to the Cowboys and they do the deed. I strongly doubt he'll make it down there.

 

[waving monkey]

Given the country club atmosphere at the Star in Frisco, could head coach Garrett (forget Marinelli, this is the head coaches job) inspire, motivate, and unleash McDowell's potential?
If Jimmy or Parcells were running things, I would be on board.

I'm not sure this is Red's job. It's more so Marinelli's and line coaches job. If needed Red steps in like a principle's office to counsel.
The country club label is old tired rap that Marinelli has proven is BS. Marinelli drives and coaches hard. That's how he gets so much out of less talent.

 

[xwalker]

I think Dak's presence might matter more, but it's just speculation on my part. I wouldn't have risked it 2 years ago but I think the room has changed and a kid like this could be successful.

The other thing is as much as his motor questions are in every write-up about him he certainly didn't look like he loafed a lot on the tapes I watched. He looked like he gave it all. I've found looking at these things myself are a better idea than listening to the rumors. It also showed me how much he was focused on by the opposing offense a la Bosa last year.

I acknowledge his quotes and the interview rumors sound bad. Still hope he falls to the Cowboys and they do the deed. I strongly doubt he'll make it down there.

I'm not sure this is Red's job. It's more so Marinelli's and line coaches job. If needed Red steps in like a principle's office to counsel.
The country club label is old tired rap that Marinelli has proven is BS. Marinelli drives and coaches hard. That's how he gets so much out of less talent.

I would take a chance on McDowell; however, the Cowboys have not had much success with character issue players with Garrett as the HC. Rolando McClain, Randy Gregory, Greg Hardy and Joseph Randle are the big names, but there are others like DT Davon Coleman and Ahmad Dixon. Garrett as OC and then HC could never get through to MartyB.

In terms of players with just work-ethic issues, Ryan Russell comes to mind. I'm not sure if he failed due to work-ethic or lack of talent. It seemed as if Marinelli had him working hard, so maybe he just didn't have the required talent.

I guess Dez is the only character issue player that comes to mind that has managed to contribute over multiple years under Garrett. Even then, it feels like Dez has underachieved relative to his talent.

 

[JBS]

I would take a chance on McDowell; however, the Cowboys have not had much success with character issue players with Garrett as the HC. Rolando McClain, Randy Gregory, Greg Hardy and Joseph Randle are the big names, but there are others like DT Davon Coleman and Ahmad Dixon. Garrett as OC and then HC could never get through to MartyB.

In terms of players with just work-ethic issues, Ryan Russell comes to mind. I'm not sure if he failed due to work-ethic or lack of talent. It seemed as if Marinelli had him working hard, so maybe he just didn't have the required talent.

I guess Dez is the only character issue player that comes to mind that has managed to contribute over multiple years under Garrett. Even then, it feels like Dez has underachieved relative to his talent.

David Irving might count as another

 

[waving monkey]

I would take a chance on McDowell; however, the Cowboys have not had much success with character issue players with Garrett as the HC. Rolando McClain, Randy Gregory, Greg Hardy and Joseph Randle are the big names, but there are others like DT Davon Coleman and Ahmad Dixon. Garrett as OC and then HC could never get through to MartyB.

In terms of players with just work-ethic issues, Ryan Russell comes to mind. I'm not sure if he failed due to work-ethic or lack of talent. It seemed as if Marinelli had him working hard, so maybe he just didn't have the required talent.

I guess Dez is the only character issue player that comes to mind that has managed to contribute over multiple years under Garrett. Even then, it feels like Dez has underachieved relative to his talent.

Garrett's team seem to have good effort and not quit on him. Of course that's the position coaches and coordinators responsibility as well. But Garrett in my view sets the tone.

 

[xwalker]

Garrett's team seem to have good effort and not quit on him. Of course that's the position coaches and coordinators responsibility as well. But Garrett in my view sets the tone.

Yes, Garrett is drastically better in that area than Wade Phillips.

I don't know how much comes from the fact that Garrett has pushed for RKGs on the roster and how much come from Garrett setting the tone, but his teams do play with good effort.

 

[TheFinisher]

Yes, Garrett is drastically better in that area than Wade Phillips.

I don't know how much comes from the fact that Garrett has pushed for RKGs on the roster and how much come from Garrett setting the tone, but his teams do play with good effort.

The thing is I don't know if McDowells issues are necessarily off the field in terms of engaging in activities that will get him in trouble legally etc... those were the issues with hardy, randle, Gregory and so on.

Gathering the information available to us, it seems to me that McDowells issues were related to getting discouraged with his team, and to be honest with the season MSU had I don't believe that's all on him. You look at 2015 and the first half of 2016 when he believed he had something to play for and he was dominant... a lot of players will check out here and there during the end of a lost season. He also gets hammered from draftniks for freelancing within MSUs scheme, but that may stem from his belief in his ability to try and make things happen for his team. When the team philosophy isn't working, players, especially the good ones, are gonna start to question their coaching staff and try to take matters into their own hands.

If it was something that popped up consistently throughout his career at MSU that'd be a completely different story... but to me, it just seems like an extremely talented player who got frustrated with the way the season unraveled. And that's not something I view as being something you have to constantly monitor. That's not laziness

 

[fishspill]

Just thought I'd add this. I was checking a reddit thread on who had the best big board from the 2014 draft now that we've had some time to digest it. The winner was The Huddle Report. Figure I'd post what Drew from that site wrote about Malik since it was new to me and said a lot of what I think I've seen:

Malik McDowell – Michigan State

Malik is the defensive player the Head Coach, Offensive Coordinator and Offensive line coach has too game plan for because he plays every line position in any style of front. There is no doubt about the fact that Malik’s techniques are poor and sloppy. Nevertheless there is also no doubt about his effort on every play and his athletic talent and finally there is also no doubt that when he does use the correct techniques that he is pretty much unstoppable. Add all that together with the fact that Malik plays all the defensive line positions in any style defensive front and even has the athleticism to drop off the line with linebacker like skills and you tell me, are sloppy, poor techniques a reason to not select Malik? I think not.

 

[AsthmaField]

He is my no-brain pick for the Cowboys too.

That one player we always pick that seems to have no brain.

Haha, you beat me to it.

Seiously, get out of my head Alex.

 

[xwalker]

The thing is I don't know if McDowells issues are necessarily off the field in terms of engaging in activities that will get him in trouble legally etc... those were the issues with hardy, randle, Gregory and so on.

Gathering the information available to us, it seems to me that McDowells issues were related to getting discouraged with his team, and to be honest with the season MSU had I don't believe that's all on him. You look at 2015 and the first half of 2016 when he believed he had something to play for and he was dominant... a lot of players will check out here and there during the end of a lost season. He also gets hammered from draftniks for freelancing within MSUs scheme, but that may stem from his belief in his ability to try and make things happen for his team. When the team philosophy isn't working, players, especially the good ones, are gonna start to question their coaching staff and try to take matters into their own hands.

If it was something that popped up consistently throughout his career at MSU that'd be a completely different story... but to me, it just seems like an extremely talented player who got frustrated with the way the season unraveled. And that's not something I view as being something you have to constantly monitor. That's not laziness

No, he seems more like MartyB than any of the guys with off-field issues.

 

[Tristan]

A

The thing is I don't know if McDowells issues are necessarily off the field in terms of engaging in activities that will get him in trouble legally etc... those were the issues with hardy, randle, Gregory and so on.

Gathering the information available to us, it seems to me that McDowells issues were related to getting discouraged with his team, and to be honest with the season MSU had I don't believe that's all on him. You look at 2015 and the first half of 2016 when he believed he had something to play for and he was dominant... a lot of players will check out here and there during the end of a lost season. He also gets hammered from draftniks for freelancing within MSUs scheme, but that may stem from his belief in his ability to try and make things happen for his team. When the team philosophy isn't working, players, especially the good ones, are gonna start to question their coaching staff and try to take matters into their own hands.

If it was something that popped up consistently throughout his career at MSU that'd be a completely different story... but to me, it just seems like an extremely talented player who got frustrated with the way the season unraveled. And that's not something I view as being something you have to constantly monitor. That's not laziness

ll sounds like a bunch excuses to me

 

[Toruk_Makto]

Given the country club atmosphere at the Star in Frisco, could head coach Garrett (forget Marinelli, this is the head coaches job) inspire, motivate, and unleash McDowell's potential?
If Jimmy or Parcells were running things, I would be on board.

What a tired an inaccurate description.

If nothing else Garrett's players have always played hard for him and many a player have talked about how powerful a motivator he is.

Do you actually follow this team?

 

[Toruk_Makto]

I would take a chance on McDowell; however, the Cowboys have not had much success with character issue players with Garrett as the HC. Rolando McClain, Randy Gregory, Greg Hardy and Joseph Randle are the big names, but there are others like DT Davon Coleman and Ahmad Dixon.

Blaming Garrett for:

1) McClain who gave us some good play very cheaply and then let his own demons conquer him is somehow Garret'ts fault?
2) Gregory who has an actual mental disorder is somehow Garrett's fault?
3) Hardy who gave us good play before his own moodiness and demons conquered him is somehow Garrett's fault (btw where is he playing these days)?
4) Joseph Randle? The guy about to go to jail despite the organization providing all the support in the world for a clearly troubled man is Garrett's fault?

Didn't Dez have character issues? Same with Irving? Hell Dak slipped a bit based on potential character issues with his DUI.

Nevermind that literally hundreds and hundreds of players have come through this organization over the last few years. If you can only name 6 players.....i'm not sure that's as damning as you make it seem.

And i'll reiterate....Garret's teams have always played hard for him.

 

[TheFinisher]

A

ll sounds like a bunch excuses to me

Excuses for what?

The whole point is we have no idea what the character flags are on McDowell. If you've watched his film you know as well as I do the "loafing" narrative is simply untrue. The guy plays his butt off.

What we're left with is he must have clashed with the coaching staff, and we simply have no idea to what extent because that information has yet to leak.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

Did not think too much about Malik McDowell and the Cowboys. Honestly thought there was no chance he would fall to the Cowboys.

However with poor interviews it seems like some have him falling.

Was watching the live mock draft on NFL Network last night and he was not even drafted in the first round. (They took Taco for us btw) and I kept thinking that maybe I missed his name being called but I seen it on the list of players not taken.

Also seen where the Cowboys had him in as a later visit of their 30.

Also Broaddus was on the last Draft Report show or the Talking Cowboys draft show...Either way he said that the coaches were buzzing about McDowell since the visit. I don't know if that was a good or bad thing and he did not seem to go much beyond that.

I think this would be a player that Jerry would consider a War Daddy (yes the term is already getting old but it is an old term).

So he could possibly be the pick if he falls. Who knows. I guess it depends who else is available.

 

[Plankton]

If it was all about "believing their eyes" then there would rarely be draft busts.

When is the last time you saw a first round pick who bombed that didn't look good playing in college?

There is a work ethic and character element involved in player success.

Kyle Boller? Jake Locker?